Reel Urban News Special Report: Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation (Pt.1)
On Sunday, November 13, 2016 on the campus of Rust College in the Morehouse Auditorium, Doxey Alumni Fine Arts-Communication Building, Rust College celebrated her 150th Founders’ Convocation.
Dr. David L. Beckley, President of Rust College, presided over the ecumenical service and historical observation. The 150th Founders’ Convocation was steeped in spectacular pomp and circumstance.
Rust College Brief History “Continuing the Quest Toward Excellence
The year was 1866. A battle-ravaged Mississippi was still nursing its wounds after four devastating years of Civil War. Negro people were free-but to do what? Few could read. Few could write. Few had been taught to supply their own material needs. It was a terrible time of adjustment for Negroes, and there was no simple solutions. One thing was sure, however, the need for education was imperative. And amid these circumstances, Rust College was born.
Reverend A. C. McDonald of the Freedmen’s Aid Society and Reverend Moses Adams, a Negro preacher, opened the doors for classes in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church where Rust College was founded. In crude facilities with rudimentary equipment, the way was open for adults and children alike to learn how to read and write.
From the beginning, the College’s mission was to provide a thorough, practical and lasting education to a particular group. Its commitment was that no one with a sincere desire to learn would be denied the opportunity. Yet, it was specifically dedicated to the disadvantaged – not only those with limited financial means, but also those with weak scholastic backgrounds.
In 1870, the school was chartered as Shaw University in honor of Dr. S.O. Shaw, who donated money for the first building. The first college students graduated in 1878. Two years later, Shaw became Rust University in honor of Richard S. Rust, Secretary of the Freedman’s Aid Society.
Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness Rust College A’ Cappella Choir and Audience
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
The Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation was elevated by a moving invocation delivered by Dr. John Wells, Associate General Secretary Division of Higher, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, The United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN.
Following the invocation greetings were brought by a host of official representatives from the state of Mississippi from the local and state level.
After a host of official greetings, Dr. David L. Beckley, President of Rust College and a graduate of the historic institution introduced his long time friend and fellow alumni, Rev. Dr. Jerry Young who served as the keynote speaker for the Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation.
Dr. Jerry Young is the current president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. which is the largest predominantly African-American Christian denomination in the United States. The denomination claims approximately 31,000 congregations. Dr. Young was also the former Vice President of the National Baptist Convention under the leadership of former president, Rev. Dr. William Shaw.
In 2000 Dr. Young won Mississippi Man of the Year (MLK, Jr., Award), in 2004 he obtained the Mississippi Majesty Award for “Living African American Legends”, in 2006 he earned the Magnolia Bar Association Harriet Tubman Award as well as the Phi Beta Sigma Lifetime Achievement Award in Religion.
Dr. Young received as Associate degree in Social Science from Coahoma Junior College, Clarksdale, MS, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Social Welfare from Rust College, Holly Springs, MS, a Master of Divinity Degree from Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA.
Dr. Young is married to Mrs. Helen Young, Rust College graduate, Class of 1974. Dr. Young serves on the Board of Trustees at Belhaven University and his Alma Mater, Rust College.
The Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation concluded with the conferring of two Honorary Degrees. Mrs. Pearlene Carter, Chair, Rust College Board of Trustees received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities. Bishop William T. McAlilly, of the Nashville Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity.
The Alumni Oath taken by both Honorary Doctor Degree recipients was administered by Mr. Larry Anderson, President Rust College International Alumni Association.
Justice Taylor Lynch the newly crowed Miss Rust College 2016-2017 along with several members from the High Court are in attendance of the Rust College 150th Founders Convocation.
The Alumni Oath
“I pledge allegiance to Rust College. And to the Principles for which it stands. One School, One Air, Look Up! Lift Up! Lend a Hand.”
Additional exclusive photos from the Rust College 150th Founders’ Convocation will appear in our second posting.
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